Save Money With Routine Roof Inspections
Tags: Inspection, Repair
Many homeowners are guilty of getting their roofs checked only when they are visibly damaged.
But without regular inspections, you will encounter serious problems that will affect the safety of your family and the monetary value of the home. However, professional roof inspection services can save you all the trouble.
The Roofing Industry In The USA
Before we tell you more about the importance of roof inspections, let us quickly walk you through the basics of the roofing industry in the US.
In 2017, the total number of roofing contractor businesses in the country was nearly 1,370, which generated a revenue of $6.7 billion. But as of date, there are about 140,000 roofing contractors and 21,000 roofing contractor businesses, with about 92% of the roofer population being male.
The majority of this industry comprises small contractor businesses, and about 97% of them employ less than 50 people.
These numbers indicate the start of a boom in the roofing industry, and it’s further expected to increase by a total of 4.3% by 2023. And as far as the income factor is concerned, the average income earned by a roofer contractor employee is about $17.31 per hour.
Given the nature of the job, it doesn’t come as a surprise that roofing is one of the most dangerous industries. In fact, every 100 full-time roofers are susceptible to an injury rate of 9.5 (out of 10).
How Can A Roof Inspection Help Homeowners?
Conducting regular roof inspections is one of the best ways to identify existing or potential problems with the roof that can aggravate major issues. These issues can damage your home, costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars in repairs.
Similarly, they can help you identify specific portions of the roof that may need to be repaired or replaced. Besides, identifying possible repairs or replacements in advance can help you prepare the budget accordingly.
Things like missing or broken shingles and leaks are pretty easy to spot, even without the need of any professional. However, there may be deep-seated problems that won’t be visible to your “untrained eyes.”
For instance, the formation of mold or soft spots, especially in the corners, can quickly spread to other areas of the roof, thereby compromising its durability. Plus, they may cause allergies or trigger asthma attacks, especially in people prone to these conditions.
Eliminating them early can prolong the durability of the roof and maintain, or even better, add to the overall aesthetics of your home.
Likewise, the chemicals required for eliminating leach or moss formation usually require about 6 months to work. The treatment should ideally be implemented during the fall so that the chemicals can work during the winter and the roof can be cleaned off dead lichens after the winter.
Moreover, a broken or damaged roof can reduce the efficiency of the heating or cooling systems in your home. As a result, you end up running them for longer than required, thereby adding to your energy bills.
In hindsight, keeping your roof in good health is also crucial to help “protect” the overall investment in your home. A pristine roof, among other things, will definitely add to your home’s resale value.
How Is A Roof Inspection Conducted?
A roof inspection by a qualified roof inspector is usually divided into four parts so that all the existing and potential problems can be detected properly. These are:
1. Structural Inspection
Aside from inspecting the roofs for uneven surfaces and sagging, the inspector will check the soffits, facias, gutters, overhangs, eaves, dormers, skylights, and similar elements on the rooflines.
If there’s a masonry chimney, it will also be checked for structural damages, as will the vents, to ensure there’s no moisture or heat buildup damaging the roof. Both slopes and ridgelines play an integral role in maintaining the overall roof structure, so they should be checked thoroughly as well.
2. Material Inspection
The material inspection involves checking the placement of tiles, shingles, and flashing as well as any damages or stain and moss formation. Not only that but the gutter downspouts will also be checked to see if any broken shingle or tile has accumulated at the bottom. If this is the case, then the inspector may suggest a complete roof replacement.
Besides, the seals and rubber fixtures around the vents or chimney will be examined to see if they are optimally functional or need replacement.
3. Internal Inspection
Not all leaks will be visible from the get-go, but they may still damage the ceiling and walls of your home. That’s why an internal inspection is important, which helps detect signs of leaks, like water stains, moss information, or rots on the interior and exterior surfaces of your home.
4. Workmanship Inspection
Sometimes, the lack of proper craftsmanship can cause problems like leaks or displacement of tiles and shingles during heavy winds or snowfall. Hence, the inspector may check the flashing around the chimneys, skylights, and vent pipes to ensure proper installation.
Once the inspection is complete, you will be handed over a detailed report comprising the details of the roof condition and any repairs or replacements needed.
When Is The Best Time To Conduct A Roof Inspection?
We’d recommend scheduling the inspection every year during the start of the fall or spring season. This way, you can conduct any repair or replacement before the winter sets in.
The cold temperature during winter may affect the installation of shingles by reducing the efficiency of the adhesive. Besides, heavy snowfall will make it practically impossible to get the roof checked properly and endanger the safety of the roofing contractor.
A pro tip: if you’ve bought a new home whose roof hasn’t been inspected since it was installed, schedule an inspection immediately.
Many homeowners make the mistake of hiring a home inspector to check the roof, as it comes across as a more convenient and cost-effective solution. However, a specialist will always be better equipped to conduct a detailed inspection and provide precise details.
Moreover, if you’re getting an emergency roof inspection on suspicion of any damage, your home insurance provider may cover the costs and suggest a qualified inspector.